Djok and awe

WOUNDED Novak Djokovic will take further revenge on Rafa Nadal in London,
according to tennis legend Boris Becker.

Djokovic lost the world No1 spot to Nadal after the Spaniard staged what
Becker rates as the greatest comeback in sporting history.

But Becker is tipping Djokovic to have the last word in a sensational year of
tennis by retaining his ATP World Tour Finals title at the O2.

Becker, a Sky analyst for the event which starts today, said: “I usually go
with the defending champion and Djokovic is playing like a driven man.

“His pride is hurt that he lost his No1 ranking to Nadal.

“I think it really affected him. He didn’t think he was going to lose it to
Nadal.

“I’m sure after Andy Murray won Wimbledon it was more Murray, what he was
going to do for the rest of the year.

“Then Nadal came out — Cincinnati, Toronto, and the next thing you know he was
there. I think it came as a bit of a surprise, a bit of a shock to Djokovic.

“And what has happened since shows that he was not happy and wants to get it
back.”

Djokovic beat Nadal in the final of the Beijing tournament and a week later
saw off Juan Martin del Potro to win the prestigious Shanghai Open.

And the Serb warmed up for this week in London by last night winning the Paris
Masters, which keeps alive his slim hopes of regaining the No1 slot.

Becker believes Nadal will find it difficult to round off his incredible
return from a serious knee injury by claiming the ATP World Tour Finals
title for the first time.

But he reckons the Spaniard, whose wins at the French and US Opens have taken
him to 13 Grand Slam titles, could now overhaul the 17 wins which put Roger
Federer top of the tree.

Becker said: “I don’t think Nadal is that strong indoors. He likes it outdoors
with more space, more time. He’s obviously good enough to win the
tournament, but I don’t believe it’s his best arena.

“But in the commentators’ box or in the studio, when the mike’s not on, we
can’t believe this.

“If anybody had said at this time last year that he would be the player of the
year, win two Grand Slams and winning another eight tournaments, we would
all have bet anything we had that this wouldn’t happen.

“You can’t applaud him enough. I’ve never seen a comeback in tennis like it.
Maybe not in all sport.

“After this year I would never bet against Nadal. He’s on 13 now. Federer had
17.

“Nadal’s always going to be the big favourite for the French. And having won
the US Open I see no reason why he shouldn’t be one of the favourites for
Melbourne.

“He’s healthy. I think he’s believing in himself. He’s won the tournament
before. If he goes by the rate he has this year, in two and a half years
he’s there.

“He’s only 27. He’s not 32 and on his last lap, hoping to win another one.
He’s in the prime of his life.”

The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals are part of an unrivalled autumn of
live sport on Sky Sports including Premier League, Champions League, Autumn
Internationals, the Ashes and the finale of the F1 season.